Jury hears dozens of memos from Philly archdiocese

April 03, 2012

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A series of confidential memos from the 1990s are being read to jurors in the landmark priest-abuse trial under way in Philadelphia.

The memos being read Tuesday describe how the archdiocese handled allegations of sexual abuse against the Rev. Stanley Gana lodged in the 1990s. Prosecutors are trying to show that the archdiocese didn't do enough after the accusations arose.

Monsignor William Lynn's child endangerment and conspiracy trial could last several months.

The 61-year-old Lynn is the first Roman Catholic church official in the U.S. charged for his handling of priest-abuse complaints. Prosecutors say he helped the church bury them in secret files.

Lynn's lawyers say he tried to address it as secretary for clergy from 1992 to 2004, but was blocked by the late Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.